A Night of Afro-Creole Flavors: Chef Kenyatta Ashford at The Food Hub, October 24

Kenyatta of Neutral Ground out of Chattanooga, comes to The Food Hub

From New Orleans Roots to Chattanooga Soil to Award Winning Chef

Chef Kenyatta links his culinary identity to a deeply rooted heritage. His restaurant, Neutral Ground, describes itself as an “Afro-Creole” concept that traces back to his ancestors in West Africa and journeys through the layered traditions of New Orleans.

At Neutral Ground, diners experience everything from bean-and-rice preparations with African influence to reimagined New Orleans staples like po’boys and yakamein.

Chef Ashford’s path also includes formal training at the Culinary Institute of America as well as hands-on experience in New Orleans, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island before planting roots in Chattanooga. 

His commitment isn’t just to food — it’s to storytelling, heritage, and community. He earned a Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant from the James Beard Foundation to deepen his study of African American diaspora cuisines and West African foodways. 

You can learn more about his background and philosophy in this feature article: Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Kenyatta Ashford. (link below)

His talents have earned national recognition — Chef Kenyatta is a Chopped champion, having won on Food Network’s“Chopped Next Gen.” 

Watch Chef Kenyatta on Chopped (winning episode) WTVC

Read more about his story → Bold Journey Article
Visit Neutral Ground’s site → Neutral Ground

What to Expect: An Evening of Bold Flavors & Shared Stories

This dinner isn’t just a meal — it’s a gathering, an experience, and a bridge between cultures. Here’s what the evening will bring:

• Arrival & Seating
  Doors open at 5:00 PM, and dinner begins at 5:30 PM. We’re capping attendance at 40 guests to preserve an intimate, communal atmosphere.

• Menu (Family Style)
  Snacks
  • Smoked French Onion Dip with Japanese Sweet Potato Chips
  • Smoked Brisket Meatballs with Senegalese Rof

  First Course
  • Heirloom Squash Salad with Pepitas, Warm Miso Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Arugula, and Goat Cheese

  Entrée
  • Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Kilt Greens, and Laurel-Scented Rice Grits

  Dessert
  • Plantain Cake with “Burth” Caramel Cream Cheese Icing, Pecan Pralines, and Hibiscus Ice Cream

It’s a menu that celebrates roots and reinvention — dishes that salute New Orleans while embracing global flavors, served in the spirit of communal dining.

Why You Won’t Want to Miss This

• Culinary pedigree + cultural vision: Chef Kenyatta’s journey and perspective bring something rare to our region.

• An intimate dining setting: With only 40 seats, this is a chance to dine close to flavor and conversation.

• A bridge of food and story: Each plate is a narrative, where heritage, innovation, and reflection meet.

Tickets will move quickly, so watch for announcements and grab yours as soon as they’re live. Join us for this special evening — where food, memory, and community converge under one roof.

Grab your Ticket

You can purchase your ticket by filling out the form below, and we cannot wait to see you there!